Cowboy Casanova - Lorelei James [46]
Ben offered Ainsley his hand. “Good to see you again, Miz Hamilton.”
“You too, Mr. McKay.”
“Ainsley and I were just discussing ideas for the next community event. We’re hoping to have something big to welcome National West Bank to our community. You have any thoughts?”
Ainsley cocked her head. “I’d love to hear your input. I’ve heard your family is a big part of this community and has been for over one hundred years.”
“At the risk of bein’ accused of nepotism, I’d suggest a community celebration to honor my brother Chase’s accomplishments this past year. He might not be headed to the PBR World Finals, but he’s done an outstanding job starting his own advocacy group for mandatory safety helmets in bull riding. The mayor knows any time Chase comes back to town there’s always people interested in hearing him talk. Now that he’s gone and married himself a genuine movie star?” Ben grinned. “This community event could have worldwide attention.”
“That’s an excellent suggestion, Ben.” Mark said. “Would Chase be interested?”
“I can ask him. If he is you’ll have to get in touch with his PR people to finalize the details. I only see one problem with this.”
“What’s that?”
“The McKays have always been customers at Settler’s First Bank. I reckon they won’t take too kindly to a celebration for Chase McKay bein’ sponsored by a competing bank.”
Silence.
Ainsley looked impressed…and a little peeved.
“I’m sure we could work something out.” Mark glanced at his watch. “I’m afraid I’ve got a meeting. Could I drop you off at the bank, Ainsley?”
“No. I’ll walk back. I’d like to talk a little more in depth with Mr. McKay about his ideas.” She winked at Mark. “Maybe try to sweet talk him into hearing my National West Bank pitch about all the services we offer our new customers.”
“Excellent idea. Enjoy.” He hustled out the door.
Ben gestured to the booth. “Could I interest you in a slice of pie or a cup of coffee while I hear how well you can service me?”
Her stern look vanished into a reluctant smile. “My God. You are unbelievable.”
“That’s what I’ve been tryin’ to tell you.”
After receiving their coffee, Ben had his first doubt Ainsley would agree to his proposition. She spent a considerable amount of time stirring sweetener into her cup, avoiding his eyes.
“Something wrong?” he finally asked.
“No.” She glanced up. “Just trying to grasp how the man who groaned when I talked about community responsibility last night came up with a brilliant idea for my community event that cuts my part out of it entirely.”
He shrugged. “I’m not worried. I’m sure you and Settler’s First can come to an agreement that benefits both of you equally.”
“Will our agreement benefit us both equally?”
So she didn’t intend to skirt the issue. “Yep.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“You wanna talk about this now?”
Ainsley looked around the restaurant, almost comically, before she lowered her voice to a near whisper. “Actually, yes, I do.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ll be able to think clearly when you’re not touching me.”
Ben smiled unrepentantly. “Words can be just as powerful as a touch.”
She challenged him with an arch look.
He also dropped his voice. “Did you imagine yourself havin’ sex with Mayor Mark? I’ll admit I imagined you in bed with him.”
That threw her off. “Why on earth would you imagine that?”
“Because I saw how he looked at you, and, angel, Mark was definitely imagining you in his bed.”
Her response might’ve been, “Oh please,” but she really meant, Go on.
“This is how I imagined it. He’d probably undress you slowly. Kiss you, run his hands down your chest. Keep all touches gentle and exploratory. When you give him the signal to move on, maybe by releasing a little moan, that’s when he’ll put his mouth on your skin. Starting with your nipples. He’ll spend way more time licking and sucking on them than even you’d like. He’ll kiss straight down your belly and you’ll feel that tingle of anticipation. Wondering if he’ll put his mouth on your pussy and get you off first. Or if he’ll just tease you. Push you